Work support



July 15, 1947. R. E. GoRDlNu-:R 2,424,090

WORK SUPPORT lFiled June 26, 1944 BY @mg 7m WM l' Patented July 15, 1947 WORK SUPPORT Ralph E. Gordinier, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Special Engineering Service, Incorporated, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 26, 1944, Serial No. 542,227

2 Claims. (Cl. 90-59) This invention relates to a work support.

In the machining of long pieces which are mounted at each end, it is sometimes desirable to provide support between the ends to prevent distortion and vibration of the work as it is being machined. It is an object of the` present invention to provide such a support in such a manner that the support cannot be forced downwardly by any vibration or pressure of the work. Other types of devices intended for this purpose have been found unsatisfactory because of the fact that they were responsive to vibration of machinery and would gradually give way under the vibratory action and pressure of the work.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a sectional view of the device shown in operation.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig, 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the support in retracted position.

In Fig. 1 a work piece is shown at W. This piece is being supported by the device to be described which consists of three main parts, a housing Ill, a vertical plunger I I, and a horizontal plunger I2. The vertical plunger II is recessed as shown in Fig. 3 so that it is L-shaped. The cut-out portion receives the end of the member I2. A pin I4 in the side of plunger II is received in a slot I5 of the horizontal plunger I2. The horizontal or actuating plunger I2 has a hardened and ground surface I5a. This surface I5a is preferably ground at an angle of 10 to the horizontal; it may be from 7 to 14 and such angular surface I 5a. cooperates with a similar surface I6 on the vertical plunger II. The slot I5 has the same angle in I2` as does the surface I 5a.

The horizontal or actuating member I2 is operated by a shaft 20 which extends into the housing I 0. This shaft has a rotating fit with member I2 at the point 2l but will exert lateral force on the plunger I2. The shaft is also slotted and grooved at points 22 and 23 to cooperate with a ball 24 so that it maybe locked in position when retracted and turned as shown in Fig. 4. A round handle 25 is mounted on the end of the shaft for convenient operation. A spring 26 presses against a retaining collar 21 at one end and at the other end against the horizontal plunger I2.

In operation it will be seen that movement of the plunger I2 to the right will exert an upward force on member II. Movement of the merr I2 to the left by reason of the pin III will cause a positive downward movement of member II. The angle of the surface I 5a is such that no downward pressure on member I I will cause movement of member I2 against the spring ZES which holds the member I2 to the right. Consequently, when a device is put in place under a work member, the shaft 20 is released from the position of Fig. 4 to a position in which the spring urges member I 2 to the right and forces member I I upwardly against the work. Any vibration of the work might cause somewhat further movement to the right of member I2 and a slight increase in upward pressure of member II. However, no vibratory forces or pressure from above will cause member II to move downwardly.

To insure the fixed position of the member I I it is only necessary that the spring 2E be strong enough to just overcome the friction of the cooperating sliding parts.

It will be seen that the action produced by the particular angle on the cam surfaces in cooperation with the light spring pressure gives the jack the characteristic of following to the work piece through any motion that might be caused by vibration.

What I claim is:

l. A work support comprising a base, an actuating plunger slidable therein and spring biased l in one direction by a relatively light spring, a jack plunger slidable in said base and cooperating inclined surfaces on said two plungers, said cooperating surfaces being at an angle of approximately 10 whereby the actuating plunger forms a solid support for the jack plunger and whereby the spring pressure combined with the angle of said inclined surfaces prevents any reverse motion caused by downward pressure on the work end of the plunger, and a shaft having a swiveling coupling with the actuating plunger by which the said plunger may be withdrawn and the shaft turned to lock the shaft and plunger in withdrawn position by an interlock with the base.

2. A work support comprising a base, a horizontal plunger slidable therein and spring biased in one direction .by a relatively light spring, a vertical plunger slidable in said base and cooperating cam surfaces on said two plungers, the

angle of said cooperating cam surfaces being approximately 10 from the horizontal whereby the horizontal plunger forms a solid support for the vertical plunger and whereby the spring pressure combined with the angle of said cam surfaces prevents any reverse motion caused by downward pressure on the work end of the plunger, and .means connecting the two plungers whereby Name Date Hall Dec. 4, 1934 Teal Aug. 26, 1890 Malmgren June 30, 1925 DerbyshireA et al June 2, 1914 Schltz May 3, 1938 King 1 1 Dec. 3, 1912 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany July 9, 1920 

